Shelly Bay
Shelly Bay
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Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
14 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
3
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Kiwibird132013
London, UK21 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
Whenever I visit Wellington I love to have a drive round the bays and visiting Shelley Bay is fabulous. There is a lovely cafe there which is typically New Zealand in style. It has lovely food and the staff are all super friendly. Next door is a gift shop and an art gallery. On my last visit I came away with 5 limited edition prints. Shelley Bay is not slick, over-populated and grubby. It is natural and beautiful with fantastic views across the harbour to the city. Following the road around the bays to Seatoun, is an absolute delight. The road is about a two foot from the sea and it is idyllic. Sadly, they are going to build high rise flats and shops at Shelley Bay and having just looked at a mock-up of the proposed development, it is clear that this area will be ruined. I suggest if you are visiting Wellington, you should go here sooner rather than later before it’s all gone. Talk about a race to the bottom!
Written August 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolDM1900
Montpelier, VT3,343 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
Even in winter, this is a fine place to walk, run, bike, or take a slow, scenic drive. But DO IT NOW, before a $500 million development proposed for this tranquil, quirky place turns it into a second Oriental Bay. It will not be the same with several hotels, 350 units in high-rise apartment buildings, lots of shops, offices, and a ferry station.
I find Shelly Bay charming just the way it is, with its secluded rocky coves, attracting sea birds and fishermen; its sweeping views across the harbor to Mt. Victoria/Wellington City and to Mt. Kaukau/Kandallah; and its simple clapboard buildings that blend in with, rather than dominate, Miramar's charming coastal environment.
It's true you won't find a sandy beach here. If that's what you're after, just continue north around Point Halswell and you'll soon be at Scorching Bay, with its lovely crescent beach. But the views here at Shelly Bay are striking. There are private nooks along the rocky shore where you can quietly take in nature, read a book, or just contemplate life. There's good food with both indoor and outdoor seating at the Chocolate Fish, interesting art work at the Blackmore & Best Gallery and Studio, and nearby track access to the Massey Memorial and up to Maupuia Park, both with soaring views over the harbor.
It's also true, that a few of the buildings here could use some tender loving care when it comes to maintenance, and maybe some updating. But they do have a history, first as part of a NZ naval, then a NZ air force, base. And they are built on a human scale. This is not -- yet -- a mega development.
Shelly Bay "as is" has history, character, interest, and natural beauty. See it now, while you can still can.
I find Shelly Bay charming just the way it is, with its secluded rocky coves, attracting sea birds and fishermen; its sweeping views across the harbor to Mt. Victoria/Wellington City and to Mt. Kaukau/Kandallah; and its simple clapboard buildings that blend in with, rather than dominate, Miramar's charming coastal environment.
It's true you won't find a sandy beach here. If that's what you're after, just continue north around Point Halswell and you'll soon be at Scorching Bay, with its lovely crescent beach. But the views here at Shelly Bay are striking. There are private nooks along the rocky shore where you can quietly take in nature, read a book, or just contemplate life. There's good food with both indoor and outdoor seating at the Chocolate Fish, interesting art work at the Blackmore & Best Gallery and Studio, and nearby track access to the Massey Memorial and up to Maupuia Park, both with soaring views over the harbor.
It's also true, that a few of the buildings here could use some tender loving care when it comes to maintenance, and maybe some updating. But they do have a history, first as part of a NZ naval, then a NZ air force, base. And they are built on a human scale. This is not -- yet -- a mega development.
Shelly Bay "as is" has history, character, interest, and natural beauty. See it now, while you can still can.
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wellnzer
Wellington, New Zealand53 contributions
Dec 2017
This is something that I wanted to visit for quite sometime and we finally made it this summer. We started of with the idea of going to the scorching bay beach but when we saw the huge crowd on that beach, we decided to not to go there but drove back along the road and saw there were couple of really good spots on the Shelly bay where you could enjoy yourself without having to step on others toes :-) Really nice bay with clear water - we saw a family who had brought their kayaks and children were kayaking for short distance in the shallow waters along the beach. So really a great place that is such a short drive from the city !
Written February 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elke B
13 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
Great views, lovely place, good view of the city Center and in top of that really Close, too. Check it Out of you got enough time
Written January 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arthur
Stretton-On-Dunsmore, UK466 contributions
Nov 2016
Just drive the coast. Gorgeous even on a misty cloudy day.. Go as far a s you can and beyond the airport.
Written November 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryshel
Makati, Philippines215 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
This place is very relaxing. Looking through the city on the other side. This seems to be a perfect spot for sunset. I just love this place!
Written July 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shobbyy
Auckland Central, New Zealand76 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
A perfect place to enjoy for sun bath and kayaking. We spent two evenings here during our trip as the atmosphere was really pleasant. Evening views are more beautiful here.
Written February 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
love_travelling1985
Auckland, New Zealand37 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
Don't waste your time coming here. Why is this even rated this high. No sand just rocks. Old neglected buildings. Go to scorching bay beach.
Written February 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shower1
Wellington, New Zealand315 contributions
Jul 2017
It used to be an armed services base and in those days was well kept the groundslooked after and it was bustling with activity. Now, apart from a couple of cafes and art stores, this is a run down disgrace to a government who walked away from its responsibilities and a council that wont fast track resource consent to allow the tenths trust (. Local Maori iwi) to bring its plans to fruition. Thus people droving around the Marine Parade and seeing the most beautiful city harbour in the world are suddenly confronted with what is essentially a group of run down falling apart buildings just rotting away and nobody s taking responsibilty for it. I am ashamed and disgusted
Written July 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon C
Wellington, New Zealand24 contributions
Sep 2016 • Family
Shelly Bay is a lovely little spot. Watch the sun set over the city, or grab a bite to eat at The Chocolate Fish cafe...where there is plenty of seating and very child friendly. The area has been earmarked for a redevelopment and could soon be Wellington's answer to Sausalito. Rumours are that a pop-up campsite and hostel/lodge is opening up over there very soon.
The road going through Shelly Bay is great for cycling and walking, flat and very picturesque.
The road going through Shelly Bay is great for cycling and walking, flat and very picturesque.
Written September 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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